Chiefs dominate Colts offensively and defensively to advance to AFC title game

Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrel Williams, right, pushes his way to the end zone against Indianapolis Colts defensive back George Odum (30), during the second half of an NFL divisional football playoff game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019.Charlie Neibergall / AP

Chiefs 31, Colts 13

KANSAS CITY – The snowy and slippery conditions made it difficult to drive in Missouri’s largest city on Saturday.

For everybody, that is, except the Kansas City Chiefs offence.

With their first possession, the Chiefs drove 90 yards on five plays for a touchdown. With their second, they drove 70 yards on eight plays for another major score. And on their last possession of the first half, they capped a 75-yard, 10-play drive with their third visit to the end zone.

Their 24-7 halftime lead turned into a 31-13 final over the Indianapolis Colts that puts the Chiefs into the AFC championship game, as hosts, against either the New England Patriots or Los Angeles Chargers in one week.

It was the first playoff home victory for the Chiefs since 1993, a drought that covers six disappointments.

“This is a new era,” said Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones. “New team, new mindset. We’re changing the culture here.”

Indeed, the surprise of the day was the play of the Kansas City defence. Ranked 31st in yards allowed and 24th in points surrendered during the season, the Chiefs ‘D’ chased away the demons at Arrowhead Stadium. It kept Andrew Luck off-balance all day. The Colts didn’t pick up their first, first down until there was just over a minute left in the opening half. Their only score was on a blocked punt. Luck, who didn’t complete his first pass of the day until the Colts were down 17-0, had just a miserable time. He finished with 19 completions on 36 attempts for just 203 yards.

“I think some of the young guys are maturing right in front of our eyes and playing well,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

First-year starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes — expected to be named the league’s regular season MVP — was simply outstanding in his playoff debut in steering the Chiefs to their first home playoff win since 1993 (a slump that covered six games).

Surprisingly, he didn’t throw a single TD pass, but he scored the third Chiefs touchdown on a four-yard run around the right end.

“It was a great win,” said Mahomes. “The defence stepped up big, played great all game. On offence, we started fast and had kind of a dry spell, but we finished it off in the end.”

It started right after the opening kickoff. On the Colts first snap, running back Marlon Mack was tackled for a three-yard loss. Two plays later on third down, usually reliable tight end Eric Ebron dropped a Luck pass at the first down marker.

On his next series, Luck had two throws knocked down at the line and a third batted away by cornerback Charvarius Ward.

In between, Mahomes pecked away with short passes before connecting with former Buffalo Bill Sammy Watkins on a 34-yard gain that was extended by a horse collar tackle out-of-bounds.

One play later, running back Damien Williams had a strong 10-yard touchdown run, cutting up the middle and past tacklers after initially starting towards the right. On the field, the Chiefs have missed Kareem Hunt since last year’s NFL rushing leader was released in November after being caught abusing a woman. On this day, they did not.

“The offensive line, they’ve been great all year,” said Williams. “Having the opportunity to start a playoff game and be behind that line, it was incredible. The lanes they opened up, All I could do was just hit it.”

The Colts opening half touchdown was scored with 5:56 left in the second quarter. With Kansas City punting from its own 19-yard line, linebacker Najee Goode burst through the protection to get the block, while Zach Pascal jumped on the loose ball for the score.

It was the only Goode thing happening for the Colts. They tried to put some more points on the board before the break, but kicker Adam Vinatieri hit the left upright with a field goal attempt from 23 yards out on the last play.

The name of Bears kicker Cody Parkey was mentioned by a few people in the press box.

The Colts had a couple of opportunities in the third quarter, including once when Watkins fumbled and they took over on the K.C. 20, but in each case, the defence stepped up with big sacks against an Indy line that allowed the fewest all season.

Luck finally put together a scoring driving in the fourth quarter, ending it with a 29 yard TD pass to T.Y. Hilton. By then, however, it was too late.

“I’m just happy for every single guy in this locker room,” said Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. “We’ve worked extremely hard to get to this point, to give ourselves another chance to play in an extra football week next Sunday.”

The fans, many of whom entertained themselves by throwing snowballs throughout the day, could finally go home to celebrate a playoff win. The first one if five tries for the Chiefs against the Colts, no less.